MS-13 forced teenage girl into prostitution in Montgomery County, officials say
KENSINGTON, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - A trial set to begin on Monday will reveal the inner workings of MS-13 in Montgomery County and its use of teenage girls for prostitution, according to officials.
Court documents obtained by FOX 5 paint a horrifying picture in which a 14-year-old girl who worked at Lilly's restaurant in Wheaton was forced by the gang to help sell drugs and serve alcohol to customers.
When the teen told the gang she wanted to quit her job, authorities said the MS-13 members took her to a house on Valley View Avenue in Kensington and beat her with a baseball bat.
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An affidavit filed in the case quotes a source who said they saw the girl after she was beaten and she had discolored arms and legs. According to the affidavit, the girl was then pimped by the gang to men willing to pay $100 to have sex with her.
The teen was forced to meet at least one customer, identified by officials as 52-year-old Feliz Silva Zuniga, at Umberto's restaurant in Wheaton. Authorities said Zuniga videotaped his encounter with the girl and then used it against her.
The affidavit said Zuniga told the girl she would have to continue to have sex with him or he would show the video to everyone at Lilly's restaurant.
Eventually, he did show the video to people at the restaurant, including her boyfriend, a high-ranking member of MS-13, according to the affidavit. The teen quit working at Lilly's restaurant out of fear of retaliation, officials stated.
Detectives said they learned about the prostitution claims after an investigation into MS-13 members in Wheaton began in May 2016. Police said they searched the home of Zuniga and found a number of recording devices. He faces child porn and rape charges in Montgomery County Circuit Court.